....National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

.... Each year the National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is declared by the American Mosquito Control Association to educate the general public about the significance of mosquitoes in their daily lives and the important service provided by mosquito vector control workers throughout the United States and worldwide.

The National Mosquito Control Awareness Week" (June 24 – 30), brings heightened attention on how to be safe from the mosquitos and aware about the health risks. It's an excellent opportunity to provide people information on the mosquito life cycle and how to eliminate mosquito egg-laying sites around their homes in order to help reduce the number of mosquitoes in their neighborhoods. The public has to be an integral part of our fight against mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue fever, malaria, Eastern equine encephalitis virus and heartworms.

To become an adult and bite the young mosquitoes, or larvae, need water. All they need is a ½ inch of water, so to get rid of the containers that hold water around homes, yards, schools and businesses is key. The public must help by turning over and emptied the water out from anything that has potential to hold water such as buckets, clogged rain gutters, old tires, plant saucers, pots, and pet dishes.

MOSQUITO FACTS:

•A mosquito’s life revolves around water; a female mosquito lays her eggs in water or in areas expected to flood.
•Once they hatch, a larvae mosquito must remain in water until it emerges as an adult approximately one to two weeks later.
•Mosquitoes can become infected with the West Nile Virus when they feed on infected birds.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: By Prevent, Protect and Report!

•Keep yard clean and cut. Keep gutters clean. Remove items from yard that hold water and are not needed outside, and Keep lawn and gardening equipment indoors.
•Every three days, flush birdbaths, potted plant saucers and other containers that hold water. Change pet water dishes regularly
•Fix leaky faucets
•Fill in tree holes with sand or concrete
•Chlorinate pools and clean the pool and filters, and add mosquito-eating fish to unused green swimming pools, ornamental ponds, bird bathes and horse water troughs.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The State of California health officials have reported the first human West Nile virus case of this season and they are encouraging residents to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. The virus generally takes a bigger toll on birds than humans. It could take anywhere from two to 15 days after being bitten before symptoms — which including a fever, headaches and rashes — appear. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection. If you know of any sources of standing water or mosquito breeding contact the Vector Control Program and a technician will be out to investigate and treat the problem. Contact the Vector Control Program byvisiting their West Nile virus website at www.SDFightTheBite.com, or calling (858)694-2888.

For information about West Nile virus and how to protect yourself, call 858-694-2888 or visit:

The San Diego County Vector Control Program (VCP) is a branch within the County of San Diego - Department of Environmental Health. A "vector" is an animal or insect that can carry and pass on a human disease. Some examples of vectors in San Diego County are mosquitoes, ticks and rodents.

The VCP works in the county of San Diego to monitor and control vectors and the diseases that they carry. The VCP has been reducing and controlling mosquitoes and other vectors since the 1930’s.

For more information proceed to the Vector Control Program Page